SC Chapter25

Zhao Sheng never even dreamed that he could hold Shen Yunjie in his arms. Zhao Sheng held the frail figure close with one arm around the slender back and the other under the bent legs. His steps felt weightless, soft and unsteady, like walking on cotton. He swallowed, his heart pounded like a drum, and his fingertips couldn’t help but tremble.

“Aiyo, hurry and carry him up to find a physician to check on him!” The neighbor who had been hiding to the side poked his head out and shouted.

Zhao Sheng snapped back to attention, quickly agreed, and carried the person in his arms into the house and up to the bedroom. Compared to the smoke and bustle downstairs, the upstairs was truly quiet. The bedroom was tidied up neatly and orderly, with a writing desk, screen, table, and cabinets, everything was in order. A few branches of white peony were placed in a white porcelain vase with a long neck by the window, exuding a faint, subtle fragrance. The room was not big, but it didn’t feel cramped at all; every detail showed how meticulous the person who usually managed the housework was.

Zhao Sheng lifted the bed curtain and carefully placed the person in his arms on the bed. Shen Yunjie’s eyes were tightly closed, and his face was pale. In Zhao Sheng’s eyes, this person was like a fragile, exquisite piece of porcelain, beautiful and delicate. He stared blankly for a long time, his gaze couldn’t help but follow the slender neck downward, imagining how pure and flawless the body beneath the thin plain, clothes must be. Thinking this, he couldn’t resist reaching out his hand, touching Shen Yunjie’s side waist. With a slight pull, the clothing sash spread apart beneath his fingertips…

“Father!” A clear, crisp cry came from the doorway.

Zhao Sheng hurriedly pulled back his hand and turned his head in a panic, only to run right into Xiao Ning returning with Xiao Yuan.

“Little Brother, I, I…” Zhao Sheng stammered, trying to explain, but failed to form a complete sentence for a long while. Xiao Ning didn’t look at him but just sat by the bed, shielding Shen Yunjie, and said in a deep voice, “I know. I heard from the neighbors. I must also thank Brother Zhao for protecting Ah Yun. I have already asked someone to fetch Old Zhou to come here.”

Zhao Sheng’s face was pale. He licked his dry, cracked lower lip uncomfortably, hung his head, and said, “It’s, it’s nothing, we’re all neighbors, it’s what should be done. Since Little Brother is back, I’ll be going.”

Xiao Ning nodded slightly and said, “I will bring Ah Yun to pay a visit and thank you another day.”

Zhao Sheng repeatedly said it wasn’t necessary and fled outwards as if escaping and even hitting the door frame with a bang.

Xiao Ning grasped the slightly cool hand under the quilt and gently lifted it, revealing Shen Yunjie’s loosened sash.

“Father…” Xiao Yuan leaned next to Xiao Ning as he gently pushed his father’s shoulder. Xiao Ning pressed down on his son’s soft little hand and comforted him: “Xiao Yuan, don’t be afraid. Father is just tired and needs to sleep for a while.”

Old Zhou entered with his medicine box, pushing the door open as he asked, “Calling me at this hour, is there food?” When he noticed Xiao Ning’s dark expression, he stopped talking, pulled over a stool, then sat down heavily and after checking the pulse for a long while, he said, “I’ll go decoct the medicine.” Just as he was about to leave, Xiao Ning grabbed him by the arm.

“What exactly is wrong with Ah Yun?”

Old Zhou rubbed his chin, inhaling sharply before saying, “This is hard to say, but don’t worry, the child in his belly is quite stable. You just have to wait to become a father.”

Just as he said this and tried to leave, he was pulled back by a hand. Xiao Ning’s face was even gloomier: “I’m asking about Ah Yun.”

“Oh, he’s fine, can’t you trust me?” Old Zhou suppressed his guilt and said, “Having a pregnancy naturally makes the body weaker. Just take the medicine on time and he’ll be fine.” Xiao Ning stared at Old Zhou for a while, causing a layer of cold sweat to break out on Old Zhou’s back, before finally letting go of him to decoct the medicine.

After the medicine was ready, Xiao Ning fed it to Shen Yunjie. Seeing his breathing grow steady and his complexion regain color, he gently tucked him in and drew the bed curtain to let him rest. Once the older one was settled, the younger one still needed attention. Fortunately, Xiao Yuan was obedient and ate whatever he was fed. After dinner, Xiao Ning carried him to the courtyard to bathe him. After shaking off the water, he was pressed onto the bed and fell asleep.

At the second watch of the night, when the darkness was at its deepest, a shadow swiftly scaled the wall and vanished into the night.

At the third watch of the night the candle burned out and the last wisp of blue smoke faded, leaving the room in darkness. The door opened softly and silent footsteps crossed the floor. The bed curtain was lifted while Shen Yunjie slept soundly. A hand then brushed his cool hair, slid through like water, and came to rest on the bed.

In his dream, Shen Yunjie felt someone pressing down on his chest. The suffocating feeling made him frown. Warmth brushed against his lips, while rough fingertips slid behind his ear, tracing down his neck and tugging open his collar, leaving a faint, tingling itch. His tongue tip was tightly sucked, and subtle splashing sounds echoed repeatedly in his ear…

“Mmm…” Shen Yunjie groaned softly and vaguely opening his eyes from his sleep. The darkness before his eyes gradually faded. Borrowing the moonlight from outside the window, he vaguely saw a strange man close at hand.

“Mgh!” Shen Yunjie was about to speak when the man quickly covered his mouth. His hands were tightly clasped, pulled up above his head, and pressed firmly against the pillow. Shen Yunjie felt a dizzy spell. Subconsciously, he lifted his foot to kick, but his knee was restrained, and his legs were also forcefully spread apart. The shame of being harassed by the ruffians during the day once again enveloped his heart. The corners of Shen Yunjie’s eyes were red as he heaved violently, his heart was filled with hatred, and amidst the surge of emotion, a faint sweetness of blood rose in his throat.

The man lowered his head and kissed Shen Yunjie’s chest twice, then continued downward, kissing his raised, soft abdomen. Suddenly, he felt a warmth on the back of his hand. He looked up in confusion, only to see that the hand he had covered Shen Yunjie’s mouth and nose with was already stained with Shen Yunjie’s tears.

“Why are you crying?” The man spoke, his voice so familiar.

Shen Yunjie stared at the strange person in front of him blankly before abruptly pushed his hand away, and after a long while, did he said, “Young Master?”

Xiao Ning was startled, only then realizing he had forgotten to remove his disguise mask. He took out a cream from his sleeve, rubbed it in his palm, and wiped it around his jaw. Only then did he peel off a mask from his face, revealing his sharp and handsome appearance.

Shen Yunjie covered his throbbing abdomen, lowered his head, and his thin shoulders trembled.

Xiao Ning hesitated before reaching out and gently pulled Shen Yunjie into his arms, “Don’t cry anymore.”

Shen Yunjie covered his face with trembling hands while sobbing, “Others bully and trample on me, why must you do this too…”

Xiao Ning held Shen Yunjie awkwardly, his heart racing with panic. He hadn’t intended this; he had only disguised himself and gone out to handle that gang of ruffians. He wanted to explain to Shen Yunjie but didn’t know how to speak, so he could only hold Shen Yunjie until he cried himself out and fell asleep in his arms.

“Ah Yun, I won’t let anyone bully you again.” Xiao Ning leaned down and kissed away the tears at the corners of Shen Yunjie’s eyes.

“The people who bully you all deserve to die.”